Hong Kong's monetary authority shut down talk of new stablecoin licenses arriving around National Day in early October. The HKMA offered no comment on the speculation when pressed by Cailian on August 6, 2026, effectively signaling the market to stop waiting.
So far only two players hold stablecoin licenses in the territory. HSBC and Anchorpoint got the first two slots, and that exclusivity appears intentional. The regulator isn't rushing to hand out more permits despite growing crypto activity across Asia. The silence speaks louder than any official denial would.
This kind of regulatory caution fits Hong Kong's pattern, balancing its ambitions as a crypto hub against the need to keep Beijing comfortable. More licenses mean more scrutiny, more compliance headaches, and more questions about who gets chosen. The HKMA's refusal to even engage with October rumors tells traders and platforms to plan for a longer wait.
This material is informational only and does not constitute financial advice. Regulatory developments can shift quickly, so verify any licensing updates directly from official sources before making business decisions.
